# NTSB CHI04LA204: Aerostar S53H, N5001J, Sioux Falls, SD, July 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2004, 20:25 local (Jul 8, 2004, 01:25 UTC) - Place: Sioux Falls, SD - Coordinates: 43.581943, -96.741943 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5819&lon=-96.7419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Rapids City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59877/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area for the balloon and his failure to maintain clearance with the transmission line. A contributing factor was the presence of the transmission line. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The balloon was substantially damaged when it contacted power transmission lines during landing. The pilot reported that after lift off the flight proceed on a westerly heading approximately 9 knots groundspeed for 17 minutes. He then selected an alfalfa field with 3 scattered hay bales as a landing site and began a descent. The pilot stated he activated the burner to slow the descent as the balloon neared the field. He noted that as the basket contacted the ground, it bounced and "skidded" toward one of the hay bales. After it "bounced off" the bale, the pilot reported that he heard the crew chief warn of power lines ahead. He stated: "I 'ripped-out' the top of the balloon to its maximum, in order to let the air out." He reported that the basket settled on a roadway and slid down a ditch. The balloon envelope subsequently contacted the power lines adjacent to the road. Concerning safety recommendations, the pilot noted "awareness of surface conditions and location of power lines." The pilot reported that there were no malfunctions associated with the balloon. The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at the Joe Foss Field Airport (FSD) in Sioux Falls, at 1956, recorded winds from 080 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported winds from 090 degrees at 9 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2004, at 2025 central daylight time, an Aerostar S53H balloon, N5001J, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it encountered power transmission lines during landing near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The local flight departed from Sioux Falls about 1925. The pilot reported that the flight departed from a high school football field and climbed to 1,100 feet above ground level. The flight proceeded on a westerly heading about 8 knots ground speed for approximately 17 minutes according to the pilot. He selected an alfalfa field with 3 scattered hay bales as a landing site and began a descent. The pilot stated he activated the burner to slow the descent as the balloon neared the field. He noted that as the basket contacted the ground, it bounced and "skidded" toward one of the hay bales. After it "bounced off" of the bale, the pilot reported that he heard the crew chief warn of power lines ahead. He stated: "I 'ripped-out' the top of the balloon to its maximum, in order to let the air out." He reported that the basket settled on a roadway and slid down a ditch. The balloon envelope subsequently contacted the power lines adjacent to the road. Concerning safety recommendations, the pilot stated "awareness of surface conditions and location of power lines." The pilot reported that there were no malfunctions associated with the balloon. The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) at the Joe Foss Field Airport (FSD) in Sioux Falls, at 1956, recorded winds from 080 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported winds from 090 degrees at 9 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5001J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5001J), registered now, S/N S53H-3004, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar S53H - Registry model: [Aerostar International AEROSTAR S53H](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-aerostar-s53h) (registry code 7487911) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: S53H-3004 - Airframe hours: 81.5 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 24, 2003, 31.5 hours before - Departed: Sioux Falls, SD - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; last flight review May 22, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 56 total, 44 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: FSD ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040708015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040708015509A), Jul 8, 2004: Arostr S53H, Sioux Falls, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 8, 2004, at 8:25 p.m. CDT, steven I. Parezo was pilot-in-command of N5001J, Aerostar S53H. Upon landing, the balloon envelope draped over… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.